‘Jeopardy’ Contestant Dies a Week Before Her Episode Airs

A lifelong Jeopardy! fan who achieved her dream of being a contestant on the show this summer has sadly died of cancer just a week shy of her episode's December 13 airdate.

Cindy Stowell, a 41-year-old science-content developer from Austin, taped an episode of the trivia game show in August while contending with cancer. Her boyfriend Jason Hess, who first confirmed her December 5 death on Twitter, said she was fighting a fever and blood infection while filming, but that appearing on her favorite show did mitigate some of her suffering.

The New York Postreported that show host Alex Trebek and just a few other key Jeopardy! production members knew of Stowell's condition during her episode's filming, and that she had recently been told by doctors that she had six months to live.

"When Cindy Stowell taped her appearance on Jeopardy!, she had Stage IV cancer," Trebek said. "Competing on Jeopardy! was a lifelong dream for Cindy, and we’re glad she was able to do so. Sadly, Cindy died on Dec. 5. All of us at Jeopardy! offer our condolences and best wishes to her family and friends."

Simon & Schuster editor Chelsea Cohen, one of Stowell's Jeopardy! opponents, told The Post she was "a very nice person to be around," while Bridget McNulty, who filmed an episode on the same day, tweeted "She taped the same day as me, she was an awesome person and brought a great cheering squad. Everyone should watch Tuesday."